Upholstery



Sept. 20, 1938. R: R. THOMPSON UPHOLSTERY Filed NOV. 13, 1933 NVENTOR.Russe/ mom/05cm BY A T TORNEY.

Patented Sept.` 20, 1938 l UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE UPHOLSTERYApplication November 13, 1933, Serial No. 697,743

1 Claim.

The invention relates to Vehicle bodies and it has particular relationto an improvement in the construction of the seat or seat backupholstering.

It is usual in upholstering seats and seat backs 5 in vehicles toprovide a plaiting having depressions and usually the depressed portionsare connected to a backing by means including buttons on the exposedside of the upholstering. While this has been satisfactory practice, itis undesirable in that the buttons are visible and furthermore itrequires penetrating the upholstery plaiting in inserting the buttons.Furthermore, it requires more time to upholster a seat or seat back inthis manner.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved means for formingtufts or pinched-in portions in the plaiting which will eliminate theuse of exposed buttons or the like, and furthermore eliminate the usualpractice of passing fastening devices or retainers through theupholstery plaiting.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the followingdescription, the ldrawing relating thereto, and from the claimhereinafter set forth.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to thedrawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the back of a vehicle seatillustrating means constructed accor-ding to the invention for formingtufts in depressed portions of the plaiting.

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional View taken substantially along line 3 3 ofFig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a detail view of the retaining clip employed.

Fig. 5 is an end View of the clip shown by Fig. 4. y

Referring to Fig. 1, the plaiting cloth or other flexible finishmaterial is indicated at I and a fabric backing at I I. The plaiting istucked in along spaced lines indicated generally at I2 to formdepressions, and between the depressions and between the backing I Icotton or other suitable cushioning material may be provided. Rear- Wardof the backing II, cushioning padding I4 is provided and a layer ofburlap or other retaining material I may be used to cover the padding.The upholstering may be fastened to the back of the seat or other rigidpart thereof by tacking around the edge thereof, as will be readilyunderstood.

According to the present invention the plaiting ID and the backing IIare sewn along the bottoms of the depressions and this may be effectedby forming nesting folds or laps I6 and transversely sewing therethroughas indicated at I1. This leaves a projecting and retaining fold alongeach depression at the back of the backing Ii. For forming pinched inportions or tufts in place in the depressions, as well as connecting thedepressed portions to the burlap I5, metal clips I9 are employed and asbest shown by Figs. 4 and 5, each of the clips comprises a reverselybent piece of metal having inwardly directed teeth 2l! at its freeedges. Initially these toothed portions are sufciently apart that theclip may be applied over the folds and then by pressing opposed sides ofthe clips, the teeth 20 are pressed or clamped into the cloth, therebylocking the clips thereto. Prior to applying each clip, a wire retainer2l having a wide aperture 22 for receiving the clip is assembled witheach clip, and then when the clip is applied, the Wire retainer ispositively connected thereto. This retainer may be made by bending apiece of wire to the shape shown and overlapping the ends to provide aclosed form.

For permitting application of the clips and subsequent access to thewire retainers, the padding I4 and burlap I5 may have openings 24. Afterapplication of the clips and wire retainers, heavier wires 25 at theback side of the burlap may be passed through the wire retainers and toprovide a firm assembly, the latter may have smaller and arcuatelyapertured ends 26 slightly larger than the wires. In inserting thewires, the padding I4 may be compressed, and

after insertion of the wires, resilient return of the padding may causethe wires to form depressions 2l. This arrangement will constantlymaintain a tuft in the depressed portion of the plaiting at each clip sothat at each clip, the plaiting will appear drawn or pinched in slightlymore than the ordinary depth of the depressions. It is apparent that thefront or exposed side of the plaiting will be free from buttons or otherfasteners and the depressions Will be clean and uninterrupted except forthe pinched in portions or tufts at each clip. Moreover it will beapparent that the assembled plaiting and backing Il with cotton or thelike therebetween, may be assembled with the padding I4 and burlap I5,without any operation at the front side of the plaiting. Application ofthe clips is relatively simple and insertion of the wires 25 may beeasily accomplished. In general the invention provides a more eflicientand economical structure and enhances the appearance of theupholstering.

Although only one form of the invention has been illustrated anddescribed in detail, it will be apparent to those skilled in the artthat Various modications may be made without departing from the scope ofthe appended claim.

What is claimed is:

A cushion assembly comprising a supporting structure, an upholsteryunitcovering said structure and attached thereto, said upholstery unit10 having inner and outer layers of padding, the

inner layer having sockets formed therein and the outer layer havingridges provided with por; tions projecting into said sockets, and metalclips substantially V-shaped in cross section and having angularlydisposed inwardly projecting teeth positioned Within said sockets andsecured to the projecting portions of the ridges and connecting them tosaid supporting structure.

RUSSELL R. THOMPSON.

